Asides

Eric Labrosse named HC/GM

The Blizzard are pleased to announce the hiring of Eric Labrosse as Head Coach and General Manager. Eric has many years of coaching experience ranging from France2, Usports and most recently serving as the Assistant Coach for the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL.

“Coming to the Blizzard is a great challenge for me in my career. I want to come in and prove that we can build a team that competes for a championship. We will be a hard working group that will be exciting to watch. Hopefully we can represent the community with humility and a big sense of pride.”

Welcome to the club!

Photo by Daniel St-Louis

Building a Board

The Blizzard MJHL Junior A Club will be forming a community board to assist in the operations of our program.
We are currently taking names of those interested in assisting, from all communities in the area.  Hockey operations knowledge is a major plus, as well as your community network.
Please feel free to forward your name, and why you’d be suited to assisting our club’s direction to
usman_tahir625@yahoo.com.Closing date:  July 12, 2023
First meeting:  TBA, last half of July.

Blizzard Announce New Partnership

The Blizzard Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club of the MJHL, and the Town of The Pas, are announcing today that the team has signed a 3 year agreement to play out of the Roy H Johnston Arena, in The Pas.

“There has been a lot of chatter around the communities as our agreement with the GLMC ended this past season.  Despite offers to move the team out of the region, we were committed to accomplish our original goal when we took over the team – to keep a world class Junior team in the North, where we call home. We’re excited that we can keep our team here for our fans in our three communities, and in the North.  We are very grateful to the hard work of the staff of the Town of The Pas over the past months to create this deal.  We are also extremely thankful to the fans of our club from The Pas, Opaskwayak, and the entire region, who wanted to ensure that MHJL Junior A hockey continues to have a home in Northern Manitoba.” – [Blizzard official]
“With any move of this size, yes, we know there will be some challenges.  However, to us, the economic and community impacts of the team staying outweighs this, and I’m proud how our staff are committed to making this work to the best of our abilities.  So many communities without a Junior team wish they had this opportunity.  Our kids can still look up to a local Junior A program, which is a goal that many players from The Pas, Opaskwayak and the RM have had.  It should also be noted, that there are no new direct costs related to this deal that will come from the taxpayer.  This is an arrangement of in-kind support, which is best suited to our community’s needs.” – Andre Murphy, Mayor.
“We hope to continue to build relationships within the North, as we have so much talent emerging, that we’d love to have part of this club.   As we look to grow, we are exploring options on a restructure to a community-based, board-led organization.  Be on the look out for many new exciting announcements in the days to come.  Thank you fans from across the North, and all our volunteers, staff and sponsors.  Looking forward to an exciting up-coming season.” – [Blizzard official]
(Pictured – Mayor Andre Murphy and Ownership Usman Tahir)

Blizzard Hiring HC/GM

Blizzard are looking forward to the 2023-2024 season. With this excitement comes the hiring of a new Head Coach and General Manager. We are looking to add a motivated individual to our team for the upcoming season. Job requirements and duties are listed in the link below.

HC/GM Duties

All interested parties are asked to email Usman Tahir at usman_tahir625@yahoo.com

Closing Date: June 25, 2023

Blizzard Make 1st Round

For the first time since 2018, the Blizzard are joining the dance to the Turnbull Cup. With a back and forth race since returning from winter break, the #MGEUWest division was the tightest it could be with all clubs hoping to keep their dreams alive.

A ten day break from games in early March didn’t make it easy waiting to see where the final points would stand. Fast forward to our last weekend of play and we have clinched a spot, secured 2nd place of the West Division and claimed home-ice advantage for the beginning of playoffs.

To say we are excited is an understatement. Lets pack the GL and bring back its former glory! Ticket information coming soon.

ANNUAL PANCAKES & PEROGIES

The Blizzard are hosting their annual pancake breakfast this year with a couple differences!

Our location has changed! Previously hosted at the Roy H Johnson Arena, we have moved to a different venue. The Norlite Hall is the site for our new location!

Day 1 was a huge success with nothing but raves from everyone who attended. Come on down and join us for the rest of the weekend! Start and finish your trappers weekend with us.

OPEN THURSDAY UNTIL SUNDAY 7AM-1PM!

Don’t forget to pre-order with Jenn @ 204-620-5200

RBC Community Ambassador – Ryan Monias

Early in January the Blizzard, MJHL and RBC named this years 2022/2023 RBC Community Ambassador. This award is given to the player who shows interest and enthusiasm in working in the community. The player selected has a donation made to a local school in their name by RBC.

“Community Ambassadors are recognized for making a difference and giving back to their communities in which they play in. Each player has displayed outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship both on and off the ice and a commitment to volunteerism.” – MJHL

The player named as this years RBC Community Ambassador is 20 year old Ryan Monias. Ryan was acknowledged by RBC and given his award during their RBC Game Night on January 17, 2023 at the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre. He has chosen Ecole Opasquia School as the recipient of his donation!

Pictured above with Cam Nagle, Principal of Opasquia

Congratulations Ryan!

Paul Added to Showcase Roster

With the MJHL-SJHL Showcase coming in just 4 short days, the MJHL has released news that Ashton Paul has been added to the roster! He will be joining teammate Ethan Farrow in representing the Blizzard on MJHL 18U along with Riley Zimmerman, Sebastian Hamming, Alex Bernauer, and Chase Hamm on their perspective 20U teams.

Paul is sitting in the top 10 for the MJHL leading scorers with 41 GP, 21 G and 25 A for a total of 46 Points.

The Blizzard will be well represented during the event!

Santa, Skate and Breakfast!

We will be posted at the GLMC Lobby with Santa all morning taking pictures, having pancakes and skating with the Blizzard! Join us for a morning of fun!

1 Pancake & 1 Sausage – $5                                                                                             2 Pancakes & 2 Sausages – $8                                                                                         3 Pancakes & 3 Sausages – $10

Photos taken by Sara Francoeur & Arielle Layne                                               $25 per photo

Christmas Jersey Auction

December 10, 2022-

As the holiday season quickly approaches the OCN Blizzard are kicking off their holidays with a “Grinch” themed custom jersey that we are auctioning off until Sunday December 11th.

Auction is now closed! Winners will be contacted in the next 2 business days. Thank you for your bids and congrats to the winners!

Auction bids begin at $75 per jersey with $10 minimum increments.  Auction will run until Sunday December 11th at 8PM.

Thank you for your continued support!

JERSEY CURRENT BID JERSEY CURRENT BID
#8 ZAGARI $75 #24 SWAN $165
#9 BOUVIER $75 #27 BLANK $75
#11 KREMER $100 #37 PAUL $110
#12 MITCH HLADY $75 #39 LANGDON $95
#14 ZIMMERMAN $180 #3 HAMMING $110
#16 MIKE HLADY $75 #4 WRUCK $75
#17 BERNAUER $100 #6 LARKINS $85
#20 MONIAS $75 #7 McCORRISTER $100
#21 MCNEILL $100 #10 COOKE $75
#23 KURBATOFF $95 #13 SUTHERLAND $75
#19 BOYCE $120 #15 CUVELIER $100
#44 WARD $110 #25 BLANK $75
#1 BLANK $75 #29 HAMM $105
#2 BLANK $75 #35 FARROW $75
#5 BLANK $75 #26 BLANK $75
#30 BLANK $75 #33 BLANK $75

Thank you to our Jersey Sponsors for this auction!                                           Dr. Brandt Weldon Chiropractic and Strilkiwski Contracting Ltd.